â€‹The Government will exercise the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) and publish in the Gazette a compulsory testing notice, which requires any person who had been present at a specified premises during the specified period (persons subject to compulsory testing) to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test.

     A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau reminded the public that persons who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course would be taken to have complied with the requirements set out in the compulsory testing notices and hence are not required to undergo compulsory testing. Completion of the vaccination course in general means having received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine 14 days ago.

      In view of a preliminary positive case concerning a person who arrived in Hong Kong from India in mid-April was recorded today (May 30), one residential building will be included in the compulsory testing notice.
      
     Details of the compulsory testing notice are in Annex 1.

     In addition, subsequent to the announcement by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) on the updated quarantine arrangements of local COVID-19 cases with the N501Y mutant strain, persons who resided or worked within the same building as the residence of relevant cases and had been released from the quarantine centres will be subject to compulsory testing on the third, seventh, 12th and 19th day counting from the announcement of the relevant confirmed case by the Department of Health (DH). Relevant persons have to undergo testing on specified dates. They will also be required to undergo self-monitoring until the 21st day (see the details of the buildings and dates of testing at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/CTN_Specified_premises_and_Dates_of_Testing.pdf).

     In accordance with the compulsory testing notice issued earlier, all household members of close contacts are required to undergo compulsory testing. Any person who had lived with a person placed under quarantine pursuant to section 22 of the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation (Cap. 599A) (person under quarantine) in the same residential unit on the date of commencement of quarantine or during the 14 days before that day, and who becomes aware of the quarantine of the person under quarantine when the relevant quarantine has not yet been completed, has to undergo testing within two days of him or her becoming aware that the person under quarantine has been placed under quarantine and report to the Government the result of the test by phone (6275 6901), fax (2530 5872) or email (ct@csb.gov.hk) within three days of undergoing the test.

     Currently, there are a total of 21 community testing centres (CTCs) providing testing services for the public, including free service for persons subject to compulsory testing. Booking and walk-in services are available. Members of the public only need to provide simple personal information on the 24-hour booking system (www.communitytest.gov.hk/en). The system was enhanced to show the booking status of the centres for the coming 21 days to facilitate the public's planning and selection of a suitable testing centre and a time slot for testing. The testing centres will accord priority to serve individuals with advance bookings. The number of tests available for appointments at CTCs has been increased to over 46 000 per day, and additional manpower has been deployed to serve the public. As of 6pm today, there were around 32 000 booking places available for tomorrow (May 31) at the CTCs, and around 86 per cent and 91 per cent availability for booking places for the coming seven days and 14 days respectively. Members of the public may call the testing centres for enquiries on the availability of bookings or walk-in quotas before visiting the centres.
 
     The Government will set up a mobile specimen collection station at the open space outside Shing Fu House, Kwai Shing East Estate tomorrow for persons subject to compulsory testing for free testing. 

     Coupled with the 21 CTCs, there will be a total of 38 CTCs/mobile specimen collection stations in various districts tomorrow to provide free service for persons subject to compulsory testing. The testing capacity should be sufficient to meet the demand. The opening dates and operating hours of the mobile specimen collection stations in various districts providing free COVID-19 nucleic acid testing services for the general public are stated in Annex 2. Persons subject to compulsory testing and those with the "LeaveHomeSafe" COVID-19 exposure notification or SMS notification from the CHP reminding them to undergo testing as soon as possible may receive free testing at CTCs or mobile specimen collection stations (if the service scope is applicable).

     Persons subject to compulsory testing may choose to undergo testing via the following routes:

1. To visit any of the mobile specimen collection stations (see the list and target groups (if applicable) at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html) for testing;
2. To attend any of the community testing centres (see the list at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en);
3. To obtain a deep throat saliva specimen collection pack from any of the 121 post offices, vending machines set up at 20 MTR stations or 47 designated general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) of the Hospital Authority and return the specimen to one of the designated specimen collection points (see the distribution points and times, and the specimen collection points and times, at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html);
4. To undergo testing at any of the GOPCs of the Hospital Authority as instructed by a medical professional of the Hospital Authority;
5. To self-arrange testing provided by private laboratories which are recognised by the DH and can issue SMS notifications in respect of test results (see the list at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_RTPCR.pdf); or
6. To use a specimen bottle distributed to the relevant specified premises by the CHP (if applicable), and return the specimen bottle with the sample collected as per relevant guidelines.

     The spokesman cautioned that testing received at Accident and Emergency Departments of the Hospital Authority or during hospital stays, or testing provided by private laboratories which cannot issue SMS notifications in respect of test results, does not comply with the requirements of the aforementioned compulsory testing notice.

     "If persons subject to compulsory testing have symptoms, they should seek medical attention immediately and undergo testing as instructed by a medical professional. They should not attend the mobile specimen collection stations or the community testing centres."

     Persons subject to compulsory testing must keep the SMS notifications containing the result of the test for checking by a law enforcement officer when the officer requires the persons to provide information about their undergoing the specified test.

     Furthermore, persons subject to testing under the compulsory testing notices should, as far as reasonably practicable, take appropriate personal disease prevention measures including wearing a mask and maintaining hand hygiene, and, unless for the purpose of undergoing the specified test, stay at their place of residence and avoid going out until the test result is ascertained as far as possible.

     Any enquiries on compulsory testing arrangements may be addressed to the hotline at 6275 6901, which operates daily from 9am to 6pm. If persons subject to compulsory testing plan to conduct testing at any of the community testing centres, they can check the centre's appointment status in advance. The hotlines of the community testing centres are available at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en/info.

     The Government will continue to trace possibly infected persons who had been to the relevant premises, and seriously verify whether they had complied with the testing notices. Any person who fails to comply with the testing notices commits an offence and may be fined a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person would also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the order is an offence and the offender would be liable to a fine at level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months.

     Relevant officers of different government departments are empowered to perform certain functions under the relevant Regulations under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599), including requesting individuals to provide information and assistance when necessary. Any person who fails to comply with the relevant request commits an offence and would be liable to a fine at level 3 ($10,000). Collection and use of any personal data for conducting COVID-19 tests must meet the requirements under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486). Government departments or testing service providers which handle the relevant information may provide the data to the DH or other relevant departments for anti-epidemic purposes as necessary. The workflow does not involve the provision of any personal data to organisations or persons outside Hong Kong.

     The spokesman said, "The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health conditions, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or contacted confirmed cases), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons."

     The COVID-19 Vaccination Programme has been implemented for the 94th day since February 26, 2021.
 
     So far, about 2 364 000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered for members of the public (please see Annex 1). Among them, about 1 359 400 persons have received their first dose, with about 585 000 persons receiving the Sinovac vaccine and about 774 400 persons receiving the BioNTech vaccine. About 1 004 600 persons have received their second dose, with about 429 800 persons receiving the Sinovac vaccine and about 574 800 persons receiving the BioNTech vaccine.
 
     In the last 24 hours ending at 8pm today (May 30), about 35 200 persons have received vaccination and about 26 900 new vaccination bookings have been made online, detailed as follows:
 
(i) About 7 400 persons received their first dose of the Sinovac vaccine, including about 6 200 persons vaccinated at Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs) and about 1 200 persons at private doctors and clinics participating in the programme;
 
(ii) about 5 300 persons received their second dose of the Sinovac vaccine, including about 4 600 persons vaccinated at CVCs and about 600 persons at private doctors and clinics;
 
(iii) about 9 800 persons received their first dose of the BioNTech vaccine at CVCs, and about 12 800 persons received their second dose of the BioNTech vaccine;
 
(iv) the overall percentage of people who have received the Sinovac vaccine at CVCs is about 97 per cent; while the overall percentage of people who have received the BioNTech vaccine at CVCs is about 97 per cent; and
 
(v) about 8 600 persons have made online bookings for receiving their first and second doses of the Sinovac vaccine, while about 18 300 persons have made online bookings for receiving their first and second doses of the BioNTech vaccine.
 
     In the last 24 hours ending at 0.00am today, there were nine cases of ambulance transfers to hospitals. Among them, seven persons were discharged and two persons were discharged against medical advice (please see Annex 2).
 
     As background information, in the last 24 hours ending at 0.00am today, there were 37 cases of stroke or myocardial infarction that required admission to the Intensive Care Unit, Acute Stroke Unit and Cardiac Care Unit of public hospitals. The state of new cases admitted to the wards concerned is provided as a cross reference to enhance fuller public understanding of cases of the kind recorded on vaccine recipients.

     The Hong Kong Police Force today (May 30) held the Police Recruitment Experience and Assessment Day at the Hong Kong Police College to recruit Probationary Inspectors and Recruit Police Constables.

     The event has for the first time included various activities to allow participants to experience the physical fitness test, the selection process as well as virtual reality training for new recruits. Police units including the Airport Security Unit, the Counter Terrorism Response Unit, the Force Escort Group, the Police Dog Unit, the Railway Response Team and the Small Boat Division also showcased their equipment and introduced their work and duties to participants. There were also recruitment workshops and information booths to facilitate participants to apply for Probationary Inspector, Recruit Police Constable or Police Constable (Auxiliary) on the spot and undergo initial screening on the same day.

     The Police Recruitment Experience and Assessment Day provided one-stop service to applicants, including written examination for Probationary Inspector candidates; physical fitness test and group interview for Recruit Police Constable candidates which helped shorten the time required for the recruitment process. Successful applicants will undergo training at the Police College in August at the earliest.

     A total of 1,653 participants joined the Police Recruitment Experience and Assessment Day, among which 754 underwent the selection process,　comprising 192 for Probationary Inspector, 540 for Recruit Police Constable, and 22 for Police Constable (Auxiliary). Applicants included students of local and overseas tertiary institutes, working people and ethnic minorities.

     The Force accepts job applications year-round. Persons who are interested in applying for Probationary Inspector, Recruit Police Constable or Police Constable (Auxiliary) can complete the application form at the Police website or mail the completed form to the Police Recruitment Division. For more information, please visit the Police recruitment webpage at www.police.gov.hk/recruitment.

        

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (May 30), one COVID-19 confirmed patient (case number: 11833) was discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 11 572 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.

     At present, there are 619 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 130 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 25 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 13 public hospitals and the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, among which one patient (case number: 6794) is in critical condition, one (case number: 9907) is in serious condition and the remaining 23 patients are in stable condition.

     The Hospital Authority will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (May 30) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the Right Honourable the Lord Peter Julian Millett, Non-Permanent Judge of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal.
     
     "Lord Millett is a distinguished jurist with profound achievements and is held in high regard in the legal sector. Having been a Non-Permanent Judge of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal since 2000, Lord Millett has handled complicated cases and has written landmark judgments covering various legal aspects over the years, making significant contributions to the Judiciary. He was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star in 2015.

     "According to relevant provisions in the Basic Law, the Chief Executive can appoint judges from other common law jurisdictions, and the appointment of illustrious judges from other common law jurisdictions as Non-Permanent Judges of the Court of Final Appeal is an important component of the judicial system in Hong Kong. In his participation in the work of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal over the past 20 years, he has made immense contributions to the establishment of a robust and well-recognised judicial system in Hong Kong after its return to the motherland, which is testimony to the implementation of a high degree of autonomy in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in accordance with the law.

     "I am saddened by the passing of Lord Millett. On behalf of the HKSAR Government, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family," Mrs Lam said.